tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87738564986427979022024-03-19T04:21:39.071-04:00The Simple LifeIn this world, but not of it.Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-42835055853349134192013-10-21T11:51:00.001-04:002013-10-21T11:51:39.941-04:00Mason Jar SaladsI posted a pic last night of 12 Mason jar salads ready to go for the week and the response was "tell me more."<br />
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I've experimented with this over the past few weeks and here's what I've found...<br />
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<strong>Dressing first</strong>- put your salad dressing in the bottom of a <em>clean</em> (I ran them through the sanitize cycle in the dishwasher first) quart-size Mason jar. I used three different dressings this week.<br />
1. Homemade Lemon/Italian (olive oil, lemon juice from 1 small lemon, 2 cloves pressed garlic, italian herbs- whisk together.<br />
2. Homemade Creamy Cilantro-Lime (found <a href="http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2013/04/creamy-cilantro-lime-dressing.html" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
3. Annie's Green Goddess (store-bought)<br />
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<strong>"Chunky Stuff" next</strong><br />
On top of the dressing, I placed chunkier items, or items that I wanted to marinate in the dressing.<br />
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<strong>Keep layering</strong><br />
I layered from most durable foods to most delicate at the top, ending with my greens at the top of the jar, far away from the dressing at the bottom. In cases where I added cheese, that was at the top as well. Push down lid to hand-seal, and screw on the top. I use a removeable glass marker (Vis a Vis) to write the salad name on the lid- it washes off easily.<br />
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<strong>So, what did I make? In layered order:</strong><br />
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2 Lemon/Italian dressing, chopped artichokes, walnuts, whole grain brown rice (cooked/cooled), arugula, spinach, Gruyere blend of cheese (shredded)<br />
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4 Southwest- Creamy Cilantro-Lime dressing, shredded carrots and broccoli, cherry tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, corn, zuchinni, avocado, red peper, green onion, arugula, baby romaine, pepper-jack cheese<br />
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2 more Southwest, with shredded pork on top (leftover from weekend pork roast)<br />
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4 Green Goddess dressing, shredded carrots and broccoli, cherry tomaotoes, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, zuchinni, green pepper, power to the greens mix, arugula, shredded parmesan<br />
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<strong>The combinations you can make are endless.</strong><br />
We really enjoy the SW style salad, so I make the most of that style. The Hubs has asked me to start putting more grilled chicken into these, which can be done.<br />
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I've found prep goes fastest when all ingredients are cleaned, chopped, and placed in separate bowls- it makes it go much faster when filling. Other variations I've included in past weeks are chia seeds, flax seeds, pepitas, cashews, and sundried tomatoes. <br />
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When you are ready to have the salad, it's really grab and go. I take my mine, shake to distribute the dressing, and pour onto a plate.<br />
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If you give this a try, be sure to comment and let me know how it goes!<br />
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Note, I use organic/non-GMO whenever possible, I just don't note it in the layers. <br />
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Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-46224778214460676062013-09-05T17:18:00.001-04:002013-09-05T17:36:49.672-04:00Back on TrackApril was my last post? Chalk it up to a busy and fun-filled spring and summer- more on that later. While we were out enjoying it, we certainly did not stay on track with clean eating. As we fall back into a school year routine, I knew I needed to get a handle on meal planning, as church, school, work and soccer leave precious little time for anything else. The solution for us? This is our first week prepping meals ahead of time- take a look:<br />
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So, this took some prepping (a lot more than I liked), but it IS saving me time this week. I made 12 jar salads. If this is going to be an every-week thing though, the Hubs has got to help with the weekend prep. The good news is that he's liking the salads, I am liking them along with the ease and convenience and dinner prep is going quickly each night. </div>
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Sitting on the soccer field talking with another friend, we were discussing the "rut" we all get into. So, what's cooking with us this week?</div>
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<strong>Breakfast</strong>- choice of egg, steel cut oats with fruit, protein smoothie, or peanut butter on a banana</div>
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<strong>Lunch</strong>- grab a jar salad (Fudge still gets a school lunch packed.) I made southwest, ranch, and greek, all with homemade dressings. Thank you Pinterest.</div>
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<strong>Dinner</strong>-</div>
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M- Mahi Mahi burgers and I cannot remember what veggies I served.</div>
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T- Tequila lime shrimp over quinoa, peppers, greens</div>
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W- BBQ chicken breast, broccoli, cowboy caviar</div>
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R- Grilled apple-gouda chicken sausage, tomato-eggplant-feta stacks</div>
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F- French onion soup (no bread/no croutons), baked potatoes</div>
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S- Fresh catch and veggies from farmer's market</div>
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S- Balsamic-glazed pork roast, grilled zucchini</div>
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I switched to gluten-free early summer and I feel great, but it's not easy. My doc thinks I may have a gluten intolerance, so I'm trying to stick with GF. Since it is restrictive of the things I love (oh bread, how I miss thee), I'm treating myself to a GF cupcake from the farmer's market on Saturday. </div>
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Your turn? How are you shaking up the menu these days?</div>
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Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-91165529219413922362013-04-09T21:09:00.001-04:002013-04-09T21:09:40.349-04:00Kickin' Barrett's ***We've lost count, but we think this is surgery #10 for the Hubs since he was diagnosed with "Barrett's Esophagus with High Dysplasia" a few years ago, coded as "carcinoma in situ". Fun times. Through all this though, we are thankful. Thankful the Barrett's was diagnosed vs. moving forward as a silent killer, thankful the leader in treating this was just up the road at VCU, and thankful that something is working.<br />
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We returned to VCU earlier than planned since the Hubs was having some flare ups/complications and his surgeon wanted to figure out what was going on. We arrived to our FAVORITE pre-op nurse, Emily, who makes the day brighter and much easier- she was excited to see us as well (and gave me a tip on 1/2 price Danskos :) It is definitely a comfort to know a friendly face.<br />
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The time in surgery was longer than expected, but went well. The Hubs was injected with dye that fluoresces and allows for micro-cell examination while M was under. He did not have RFA (Radio Frequency Ablation) today but rather multiple biopsies. Here is what we learned (beyond the fact that he's going to have neon urine for 24 hours):<br />
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M failed as a RFA (Radio Frequency Ablation) candidate because it did not eradicate the dysplastic cells, HOWEVER he was included in the clinical <br />
trial for "cryo"- freezing the cells and that did seem to have had the intended effect over the last two visits. VCU is still one of the only centers in the nation to use cryo for Barrett's. While this was surprising news, it was good to know something appeared to be working.<br />
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What's next? This is the FIRST time we've left the hospital with papers that did NOT state "carcinoma in situ"! M's doc is cautiously optimistic. What we are hoping to hear is no dysplasia, no carcinoma. We know he still has Barrett's and that will require close monitoring and medication the rest of M's life. However, if it's come down from dysplasia, that is a big victory! <br />
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M's doc thinks the flare up and issues may just mean an adjustment in his proton pump inhibitor meds, which he adjusted today. IF clear pathology reports come back next week, M wins a whole year before he has to return! We're hoping and praying for clear reports next week.<br />
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We are so thankful for the support and care of our friends. Your calls, texts, and emails were greatly appreciated throughout the day, as were your prayers and positivity. We are blessed beyond measure, and a shout out to my parents for helping with Fudge and getting him to soccer.<br />
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M won't let me post a hospital pic of himself (wouldn't even let me push him in the wheelchair), so I've included a pic of his awesome surgeon, Dr. Z... who recently had a wing of the hospital named after him- love this guy and his bow ties. We're home, M is sleeping, I'm exhausted. Good night all!<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4wB1S8pNZEvTo6EOAJ2tVPmVAdEdvybmZRcG-6-RW3O4HBC3xBcMqCPT9hiELRQ63dSvd2XUOt6nIMfVfB93CDHAgluE_juhUE6tU4EpbyKr9oiKbFhkSTL5lUu3rt-bu7x95eZUmoA4/s640/blogger-image-1096594408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4wB1S8pNZEvTo6EOAJ2tVPmVAdEdvybmZRcG-6-RW3O4HBC3xBcMqCPT9hiELRQ63dSvd2XUOt6nIMfVfB93CDHAgluE_juhUE6tU4EpbyKr9oiKbFhkSTL5lUu3rt-bu7x95eZUmoA4/s640/blogger-image-1096594408.jpg" /></a></div>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-61955096596315855362013-02-28T22:51:00.001-05:002013-02-28T22:56:48.677-05:00If You're Going to Be A Bear...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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That's Fudge above, at LEGO KidFest, "eating" at the Krusty Krab. MmmmmMmmm! Fast food, even with LEGO. A couple of years before I was pregnant with Fudge we moved to a more organic, less processed food approach and literally changed our selection of many of the basics we realized were not good for us environmentally, moving to an organic version- cleaners, soaps, personal care products, cosmetics, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, etc. Ooh, about that deodorant, don't ask my friend April about our trip to FL and the only one I packed was my natural mineral salt rock. Score: Florida in August- 1, my pits -9 zillion. Ripe is the only word to describe that nastiness! After Fudge joined us, we were still consistent with our approach but I've noticed over the past year or so that we've slipped away from our roots. And my parents, well, here's how it goes down...go to Nonna's and have a cookie, have some pudding, have some BooBerry cereal. Not all on the same day necessarily, but go to Nonna and Poppy's and sneak in the crap food. Yes Mama, if you are reading this, he has crap food here at my house too. Yes, I know you fed him a chicken breast sandwich afterschool today :)<br />
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And it's right around the same time that I am thinking to myself that I have got to do something to lose this weight. I'm a go big or go home type of girl; our saying around here is "If you're going to be a bear, be a Grizzly!" Well, it's Grizzly time.<br />
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I shared with the hubs and Fudge I've been really thinking about this and I'd like for us all to recommit- and I found just the tool to do it. We're taking the <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-defined-a-k-a-the-rules/" target="_blank">100 Days of Real Food</a> pledge. Ok, ok, I positioned it as 100 days with Fudge and the hubs, but really, it's a permanent lifestyle change I want us to get back to. Fudge's response was "No more Trader Joe's Fiber Bars?" And the hubs response was, "can I just start it in 100 days?"<br />
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We don't have an offical start date yet; negotiating that around here takes more skill than the Treaty of Versailles, but let me just tell you what the hubs did this evening. He came home with 2 liter of Coca Cola, a bag of fried chicken tenders, pepperoni, sausage crumbles and a bunch of other crap. WTH? "Well, we haven't started yet!" No we haven't, but how are we ever going to start if he keeps bringing crap like this into the house??? So I said, ONE WEEK, and if it's not gone in one week it's in the trash can. The man cannot stand for ANYTHING to go to waste, so I see a lot of junk food in his future.<br />
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So come, follow us on this journey...it's sure to be an entertaining one and this is a wonderful way to stay accountable to our pledge. The clock is ticking to his one week deadline! Anyone else want to join us?<br />
<br />Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-6004278976788799692013-02-28T22:01:00.001-05:002013-02-28T22:01:07.210-05:00Sleepover Follow-UpI've received a few questions- what did you do about the sleepover? How did things go? Hell was going to freeze over before Fudge was sleeping over; I think that much was clear. I put the hubs up to calling the parents to share that Fudge would not be able to sleep over, but he'd still like to help [name] celebrate his birthday. Per the hubs, the mom seemed a little bristly about it, but agreed. <br />
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The big day arrived (two days after the invitation was sent home) and the hubs took Fudge over to the house with strict instructions- DO NOT LEAVE HIM. The poor birthday boy- only Fudge and one other little boy showed for the party. What happened next is truth is stranger than fiction. As one of my girlfriends would say "you can't make this shit up!"<br />
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I'll leave you with the short and edited version: Fudge came home later in the evening, the hubs in tow, to tell me, "MAMA, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!" They had SNAKES, and GUNS (Airsoft rifles, per the hubs, that looked just like an assault rifle and a sniper rifle) , and LIZARDS! I looked at the hubs with the "are you kidding me look" and he just shook his head and said, "you were right." And that it was a good thing he stayed because he knew as soon as they took the first of three pythons out of a plastic container in the laundry room that the Pilot would have left track marks in the driveway.<br />
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In the spirit of really trying to be nice, and being totally speechless, I eeked out a "go wash your hands Fudge. NOW."<br />
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Oh, and I take no issue with the Airsoft rifles- we let Fudge shoot one in a very controlled environment in a riflery course at summer camp last year, but adults shooting them off in front of kids at a birthday party? I don't get it.<br />
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Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-26824843692955895222013-02-06T23:25:00.002-05:002013-02-06T23:25:41.961-05:00What Would You Do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This parenting thing is ever-rewarding but rarely easy...more like figure it out as you go, use common sense, give unconditional love, inspire wonder, pray and repeat, repeat, repeat.<br />
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Fudge came home today with an invitation for a birthday sleepover this weekend...for a kid we barely know and parents we've never yet. My girls reading this who know me well know exactly what went through my head when Fudge beamed at the invitation ("Not only no, but oh-hell-no!"). Of course I couldn't say that, so I was much more sedate with "let's take a look at what you have there." Fudge does sleepovers with a couple of best buddies and family- we don't have issues with separation, bed wetting, etc, so the experience for him has been positive so far. I fully recognize each kid develops differently and not all on the cusp of 8 are ready for a sleepover- totally respect that. But what about this sleepover party business?<br />
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I took the direct and rational approach: I'm sure so and so is a very nice boy and has nice parents, but we don't know them and we're not comfortable with a sleepover. Part of the party is being held at a local event site and I told Fudge we would take him and stay so he could participate there and wish his friend a happy birthday, but that's about all. His response shocked me..."ok Mama." No pleading his case, only one alternative suggestion ("you could call and introduce yourself and meet them"), but then Fudge said, "Yeah, I really only stay with like-a-family or best friends." I certainly don't think I'd handle it as well at almost 8 years old. As a parent I'm challenged with how to communicate that yes, we should be making new friends (and not being exclusive or "cliquish") and at the same time denying participation in another kid's party as visions of sleepover disasters and news clips run through my mind.<br />
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I'm confortable with my decision, discussed it with the hubs when he got home, and we're all on the same page. Poor hubs- I told him he was the lucky winner of calling the parents and letting them know how Fudge would like to participate in celebrating his friend.<br />
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Back to the title of the post- what would you do? Have you been in a similar situation? What was the outcome?Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-48480508376963591152013-02-06T10:35:00.001-05:002013-02-06T10:35:34.645-05:00Out of the Mouths of BabesFudge has the sniffles and woke up grumpy since he couldn't breathe through his nose.<div>
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Fudge: "Mama, I need an inhaler!"</div>
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Me: "Oh, where did you learn about inhalers?"</div>
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Fudge: "GOONIES!"</div>
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Ah, that explains it.</div>
Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-62549467783346176182013-02-05T23:05:00.003-05:002013-02-05T23:05:46.147-05:00"The Yolk's on You!"Fudge has this shirt I'm not crazy about (no, I did not buy it for him). It has a picture of two stick figures, one with egg on him, and the shirt says "The Yolk's on You!" Really, I hate the stupid shirt so it's usually "lost" or still in the dirty clothes, etc. Well, this time, the "yolk's" on Fudge.<br />
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We've struggled to find a breakfast he likes but we've landed on a homemade smoothie which I've slyly been making with almond milk...and his Ovaltine last night was with almond milk...and tonight, when I was out of regular milk, he got a cup of straight up almond milk. Drumroll please, HE LIKES IT! We are using Silk Original Almond Milk with 50% more calcium. <br />
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The smoothie? 1 cup almond milk, one fresh banana, one scoop Designer Whey vanilla protein powder, 2 Tbsp. peanut butter. Blend and serve- well over 20 grams of protein and almost 50% of calcium for the day.<br />
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Healthy, quick breakfast ideas from your home? Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-69319854055969174992013-02-03T00:22:00.000-05:002013-02-03T00:31:32.781-05:00A Little Change Goes a Long Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o39s1Ay1A7Z6TdKzU9LFdBrYuQaiOx1wUEJ_zWXz_m_nkTCwWP36GOvxCO95_dFJYPMhxUQcPv8vH2KUsffHN5hVcsBHhYOaxQURmUFtqBMvDDiBRElTMjHRWF-PaU5rtytjgjxyZRzx/s1600/IMG_2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o39s1Ay1A7Z6TdKzU9LFdBrYuQaiOx1wUEJ_zWXz_m_nkTCwWP36GOvxCO95_dFJYPMhxUQcPv8vH2KUsffHN5hVcsBHhYOaxQURmUFtqBMvDDiBRElTMjHRWF-PaU5rtytjgjxyZRzx/s320/IMG_2556.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Someone, ahem, recently reminded me that is has been "ages" since I've blogged...and for me, I guess it has- LAST MAY! As you can imagine, there is quite a bit of living and adventure packed into the last eight months. Brief highlights include a new job (same company), a Disney cruise (divine), a visit to Universal Studios/Resort, turning 37, adventures in Lancaster, PA, Fudge starting 2nd grade, my brother moving to Florida, hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas with the family, and soccer, soccer, and more soccer. Oh, and basketball too. Whew!<br />
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So why the photo of a bucket of money? We have an old water cooler bottle that sits in our living room, somewhat hidden behind a chair. The hubs and I throw spare change in there and when we're really living on the edge, paper currency too. I'd say that Fudge throws money in there too, but who are we kidding? He hoards in his piggy bank, which is fine by me. We recently took advantage of Fudge's late January semester break, combined with a wicked good offer from Disney, to head down to see the Mouse and friends for about a week. I decided it was time to trade in the water cooler funds, so I transferred it to a beach bucket and off Fudge and Poppy went to the bank.<br />
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Any guesses? Once we weeded out the Mexican pesos and Kuwaiti paper currency (I can explain Mexico but Kuwait? I have no idea.) we had over 36 POUNDS of coins in that beach bucket. Fudge came home from his trip to the bank looking like a little mobster fanning out his cash- about $300! Not a bad jump on spending money for the week, and now the cooler sits empty waiting to be filled up again to put a financial dent in a future adventure.<br />
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Where else can a little change go a long way? I've got two major challenges before me this year- getting my home/schedule organized and getting the # on the scale down. Both are really posts of their own, but I've asked myself, what small steps, when added up, make a big contribution? For my JMU grad school buddies "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts!" <br />
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On the homefront, OCD me is excited that my dad has agreed to build a closet in some wasted space in our master bedroom, which will mean "his" and "hers" closets...as in not-sharing-a-closet-with-the-hubs-anymore! Really, is it Christmas already? Now I just need to get the room cleaned up enough that this work can be planned and started. I also had my favorite bubba cabinet maker out to draw up some sketches for cabinets/shelves flanking the fireplace, and I just anted up the bucks (ouch) for my first <a href="http://www.erincondren.com/store/index.php?cPath=1156" target="_blank">Erin Condren Life Planner</a>. I thought my level of anticipation for this planner was just not normal, but I've found online I'm in very good company as I wait for this beauty to arrive. The tipping point for me being willing to give it a try, beyond the rave reviews, was the offer for $20 OFF through February 28th- just use promo code XOXO20.<br />
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What changes are you hoping will go a long way in 2013?Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-53450213748800128582012-05-04T12:07:00.001-04:002012-05-04T12:12:54.673-04:00FNL- The Let's Dance EditionHoly confusion Blogger- what happened to my dashboard? Why won't you function properly on my laptop? Since I'm now attempting this from my iPad, I don't have the Friday Night Leftovers image, but I'll give it a go. Where the hell did the bullets function go? <br />
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<ul>
<li>Fudge had a birthday party to attend last night and the music was fantastic! Makes me miss the days of a wedding every weekend and some good dancing. Cupid Shuffle anyone? </li>
<li>Speaking of dancing, we had a folk dance night at Fudge's school this week, which was a great deal of fun and laughter. The next day Fudge told me he was a little disappointed: "I thought it was going to be a real dance, in the dark, with a disco ball and crazy lights, so I could show off my moves." Then he showed his moves- looked like a cross between the Elaine on Seinfeld and some odd break dancing. No lack of confidence there.</li>
<li> I've kissed 10 pounds goodbye! The only thing I am craving? Pizza. Who would have thought? </li>
<li>I am exactly 90 days away from being on more than just a few days of island time. Ahhhh! Speaking of island time, my parents are in Hawaii and cruising for three weeks. Fudge misses Nonna & Poppy, but it's nice to recognize what a bond they have. He's counting the days until we meet them at the airport. </li>
<li>Summer camp craziness is almost settled...I'd rather run the NFL draft- that's got to be easier than the camp planning shuffle. </li>
<li>Danifred, I owe you my Disney planning spreadsheet. PM (via FB) your email and I'll send you the Excel file. Ok, off to volunteer this afternoon and more soccer this weekend. Make it a good one!</li>
</ul>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-209074822873505352012-04-20T13:08:00.007-04:002012-04-20T13:41:17.034-04:00Friday Night Leftovers- Case of the Hootypuckers Edition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Eu0nk9ifxiUdoiIJoRO5sUW0n88Ze5ZrKFNY4oBCZQ0VZ51GtLdxL8hqEJWjCQQ-gDmq8e7h-_hYiJX6LSEwcls1HjtK92P6pkb2vR1oTEf5_j2F1SRcvHK4fuF9jmMCp1rPFV1HwqW8/s1600/leftoversbutton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733534479111074866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Eu0nk9ifxiUdoiIJoRO5sUW0n88Ze5ZrKFNY4oBCZQ0VZ51GtLdxL8hqEJWjCQQ-gDmq8e7h-_hYiJX6LSEwcls1HjtK92P6pkb2vR1oTEf5_j2F1SRcvHK4fuF9jmMCp1rPFV1HwqW8/s400/leftoversbutton.jpg" border="0" /></a> No doubt, we've had better weeks. Here's to the end of the work and school week...<br /><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>Champ, Fudge's parakeet, died. Equally devastated are Fudge, me, and Buddy, our other 'keet. We dug a grave last evening in a beautifully sunny spot in the yard, buried poor Champ, and Fudge painted a tombstone. Buddy has not chirped or blessed us with his song since Champ passed :(</li></ul><br /><p></p><br /><ul><br /><li>Any parents of sleepwalkers out there? Fudge's latest the other night was a 3am wander into the bathroom and pee in the trash can. At least it wasn't the <a href="http://tsl1.blogspot.com/2011/07/sometimes-you-just-have-to-laugh.html">clothes bin</a>.</li><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>I awoke at 2am- as in WIDE AWAKE. On the upside, I now have a cleaned out pantry and the birds/squirrels/rabbits/raccoons/'possums have some new snacks...even tried homemade suet (at 4am) and got a jump on preparing weekend meals. It's one of the only times this year you can call me Martha. Oldest thing in the back of the rounder cabinet- any guesses? Unopened seaweed sheets from 2005!</li><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>Weekend plans include celebrating my brother's birthday this evening (I can almost taste that margarita), soccer, and hopefully some sunshine and free time to enjoy it. Oh and some sleep, that would be nice. The motto around here is "you can sleep when you're dead."</li><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>Just realized I have a stack of overdue library items...dear YCPL- I think your email alert system needs some bugs worked out. I don't need to know the stuff due in two weeks, I need to know what's due now.</li><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>Some big wins at work this week- now to sustain them.</li><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>Not much of a TV watcher and while I lose enthusiasm for Revenge, I am hooked on Missing. Last week's episode reminded me all over again why I just love the city of Prague! Scandal is intriguing as well.</li><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>I need to wrap up the summer camp registration hustle...it's intense here...reminds me of bidding on a house. In the interim, I lost my mind and said yes to a fantastic camp I attended as a kid...which means commuting 90 miles EACH way for a week, on top of the hefty camp fee. I must really love Fudge.</li><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>Speaking of houses, remind me why I left my wonderful townhome 10 years ago? I hate keeping up with this @#^%&*( yard!</li></ul><br /><br /><p>Want to share in the FNL love? Visit our wonderful host and super-mom to three, <a href="http://sippycupsarenotforstarbucks.blogspot.com/">Danifred</a>.</p>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-69363848317928310522012-04-13T08:51:00.004-04:002012-04-13T09:31:11.013-04:00Friday Night Leftovers- The Dazed Edition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXw_hjmwJAJsjehWp_Gs5PPrUvViQtWiEddqOXeytu0GwGy__LFZZ8o1FZ5gGqrxpIa3k6CwcvmmCpvbsIFmbm1JF1Ec4acMxkJ3yiuV0BtBqvliAcBey9-dHoKlPvlQ5o1-XSIk-rTuiD/s1600/leftoversbutton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730867861366694738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXw_hjmwJAJsjehWp_Gs5PPrUvViQtWiEddqOXeytu0GwGy__LFZZ8o1FZ5gGqrxpIa3k6CwcvmmCpvbsIFmbm1JF1Ec4acMxkJ3yiuV0BtBqvliAcBey9-dHoKlPvlQ5o1-XSIk-rTuiD/s400/leftoversbutton.jpg" border="0" /></a> Actually, the title should probably be the "dazed and confused" edition...<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Spring break was just what we needed- fresh air, sunshine, adventure, and back to nature. Ok, maybe a little too much nature for this city girl, but nature nonetheless. It ranged from having a camel in my car, a moose trying to kiss me, a big snake right near our feet in the river, and a precariously teetering (but fun) swinging bridge.</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Today is my Dad's 60th, so I had his yard "flocked" with flamingos, skel-a-mingos, and tombstones. It was my Mama, however, who surprised me with the text requested for the yard sign: "Shut the flock up- Bob's 60!"</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Soccer season is in full swing, and as I posted on Facebook the other night, "It must be parent asshat night at youth soccer." You should have heard the parents SCREAMING at their kids. I'm not talking about encouraging shouting, but full out rage screaming- "[Child's Name] YOU DON'T LET ANYONE PAST YOU WITH THAT BALL, DO YOU HEAR ME?" Lady, the whole effin' sports complex can hear you! Were we in an episode of <em>What Would You Do</em>, or maybe <em>The Twilight Zone</em>? And it went like that for the whole game; I had to stifle myself with the parents/grandparents behind me. All I could think was how sad for that kid and would these people please take their obnoxious (Long Island?) accents back to where they came from. Unfortunately, about half of the parents from that team behaved in the same manner. These are a bunch of 6 and 7 year olds, not Manchester United.</li><br /><br /><br /><li>I pulled the muscles in my lower back, so while I am getting relief, I feel like Molly Ringwald's older sister in <em>16 Candles</em>. Surely you remember the one, who could hardly function thanks to some good drugs? Oops, is that drool on the keyboard?</li></ul><br /><p>Want to join the FNL fun? Stop by and see our lovely and talented host, <a href="http://sippycupsarenotforstarbucks.blogspot.com/">Danifred</a>, along with allof the other ladies from FNL.</p>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-7583193658376144472012-03-30T12:53:00.006-04:002012-03-30T13:33:13.619-04:00Friday Night Leftovers<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2eM2B1DvtspEj1kN1iG2sHNyss2rdJW-vGCyNoSDcmlw0rwHtuG4ANmV6a9KpPzO9pAolkPDvDbl1G8X_OYnsy_uB6Wgq5HhWqDNJUq45kmXi1G4OabyTibvRQitVhxGoAxYs98MOSsy/s1600/leftoversbutton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725734470442583234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2eM2B1DvtspEj1kN1iG2sHNyss2rdJW-vGCyNoSDcmlw0rwHtuG4ANmV6a9KpPzO9pAolkPDvDbl1G8X_OYnsy_uB6Wgq5HhWqDNJUq45kmXi1G4OabyTibvRQitVhxGoAxYs98MOSsy/s400/leftoversbutton.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>I'm working like a mad woman today so I can take off with Fudge until April 10th. Regardless of public opinion of my employer, my own opinion, or the financial services industry as a whole, my leave time and flexibility is top-notch, which I greatly appreciate. Too many parents have to choose between "employee" or "parent" during school breaks and I am thankful that I don't have to make that choice. If only we could get the majority of employers in this country to value the parent-child connection. Or the having-a-life connection, regardless of parental status. Hmph!<br /></li><br /><br /><li>This amendment 1 in NC is so bass-ackwards. I'd say thank goodness I kissed NC goodbye years ago, but I'm still in the South and in a pretty bass-ackwards state myself.<br /></li><br /><br /><li>Lately, I'm having crazy vivid dreams- what's that about? Last night, I was back in Germany, speaking French. ???<br /></li><br /><br /><li>Need a good book for the weekend/next week- suggestions?<br /></li><br /><br /><li>Why don't Christians celebrate Passover? Jesus observed it- what's the deal? The church I grew up in could never satisfactorily answer the question. Any takers?</li></ul><br /><br /><p>Want to join the FNL? Be sure to visit <a href="http://sippycupsarenotforstarbucks.blogspot.com/">Danifred</a> to play along.</p>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-75057237691970790032012-03-28T23:24:00.004-04:002012-03-28T23:29:43.819-04:00Fudge Makes Dinner<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ra2tufbX7zPYW4kv2oQwD8IJ7FzEP0FqVsf4C-NwsQQvzofWtGL0zhdfd8oQ8v2gzGlwZn52A16v6wNKNIQvgcf4-3A6vVHekyCsSbnD7Jo960bOGr3AoV4_Jiw7T-HFc1l4sVT8yhOZ/s1600/food.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725155105669844802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ra2tufbX7zPYW4kv2oQwD8IJ7FzEP0FqVsf4C-NwsQQvzofWtGL0zhdfd8oQ8v2gzGlwZn52A16v6wNKNIQvgcf4-3A6vVHekyCsSbnD7Jo960bOGr3AoV4_Jiw7T-HFc1l4sVT8yhOZ/s400/food.JPG" border="0" /></a> Fudge decided to serve me dinner the other night...what a pleasant surprise that I had fish, milk, yogurt, and lots of fresh fruits and veggies! Maybe all of those Saturday mornings at the farmer's market, in search of fresh fruits, veggies, and seafood, are paying off?<br /><br /><div></div>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-27542851634800157382012-03-27T11:58:00.003-04:002012-03-27T13:30:22.231-04:00What Are You Doing Right?Social media can be a fabulous tool for communication and runs the realm of being a collaboration tool and a time suck, inspiring and damaging, thought-provoking and ignorant...all at the same time...one web with many outcomes. As I consider my own use of social media, I find the newsworthy, the celebratory, the information sharing, and the quick connection to those I care about to be the most gratifying. What will not get me to bite is the "vague-booking" status updates, not-so-vague-give-me-constant-and-unwarranted-attention updates and the look-at-my-perfect-life updates (what insecurities are you hiding, not so well I might add?). I'm sure I'm guilty of the latter too; a girl's got to be able to celebrate with friends and family when something is going well. I do celebrate the good times, but I'm also here to be real about what is not going as planned (on-fire tread mills, mis-steps in my new role, Fudge's stunts and ER visits)...it's life right? And to quote Dr. Seuss (yes, I've been part of Read Across America too):<br /><br /><em>“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.”</em> ― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/61105.Dr_Seuss">Dr. Seuss</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2125304">Oh, The Places You'll Go!</a><br /><br />Lately, I find it's easy to fall into the trap of trying to live up to "supermom" status, or even "superstar at work" status. Most of you who just read that sentence had THAT mom come to mind- perfect kids, perfect house, perfect figure, perfect spouse, perfect income...perfect, perfect, perfect. The first question I ask is <strong>why are we comparing?</strong> I'm here to tell you that if I compare, it's a lost battle from the start. My house right now- total mess and chaos (which drives me nuts). If you came to the front door today, we'd be standing on the porch to converse, with the front door firmly shut (how ungracious, I know). Toys are everywhere, laundry is piling up, the floors need to be mopped, toilets scrubbed, showers de-scummed...you get the picture. I still haven't mailed thank you notes from Fudge's party last month, or from the PTA fundraiser. My child downed a piece of pizza and red velvet cake for dinner on the run last night- not our typical fare, but that was his dinner...no veggies, no fruit, no "eating the rainbow." I'd have to ask Fudge when he last washed his hair, Dax needs a good brushing, Salem needs to get back for a check-in with the vet, taxes are looming, summer camp rosters are filling, piano didn't get practiced thoroughly and I feel behind most days. I'm in a new role at work, drinking from a fire hose, and the issues can seem worse when compounded.<br /><br />For this day, despite the dirty floors and sticky doornobs, the crazy Excel formulas and constant meetings, I am giving myself permission to focus (actually requiring myself to focus on small wins) on what I am doing well...what I am thankful for...sometimes we just need a reminder:<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>My team and I pulled off a very successful quarterly meeting for 800+ participants worldwide and with an internationally recognized speaker. WHEW!</li><br /><li>I made it to the market, so we've got fresh, healthy choices stocking the fridge and freezer.</li><br /><li>The laundry mountain is slowly, but surely, eroding.</li><br /><li>I'm learning new skills in the workplace and establishing valuable and meaningful connections.</li><br /><li>My child is usually easy going and happy, healthy, well-adjusted and a blossoming voracious reader...I could learn from him- not to sweat the small stuff.</li><br /><li>I can laugh at myself, even when I am the unintended entertainment...nothing like singing Happy Birthday while unintentionally back-flipping over a couch and taking the whole damn thing with you. Classicly me! And we wonder why Fudge is so accident prone?</li><br /><li>And finally, drumroll please, I've been consistent with my work-outs and I'm down four pounds this week. That was a hard-won victory!</li></ul>What are you doing well in the midst of demands, stress, and/or chaos? What do you need to give yourself a pat on the back for, despite the mountain in front of you?Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-50310136969341004812012-03-23T10:03:00.008-04:002012-03-23T11:05:28.580-04:00Friday Night Leftovers- Get Outta That Funk Edition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafd7pjP-6MeakSgnKwY1qH_StWjmIMt326l-BycZ_3xz6k_8UOb6vjyvDsk8Mmfl7vy-f0y0c7oUVrJZbkuIYVLWhjjR4hDTx2AVJdqhTkEjcSGodauNm22eEIfFGHeUyPV61hq2rpMlj/s1600/dark+cloud.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723095737974693090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafd7pjP-6MeakSgnKwY1qH_StWjmIMt326l-BycZ_3xz6k_8UOb6vjyvDsk8Mmfl7vy-f0y0c7oUVrJZbkuIYVLWhjjR4hDTx2AVJdqhTkEjcSGodauNm22eEIfFGHeUyPV61hq2rpMlj/s400/dark+cloud.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It's been a seriously funky week that I am looking forward to putting behind me. Drumroll please, the not so exciting edition of Friday Night Leftovers rolling around in my mind: <br /><ul><br /><br /><li>Anyone else out there politically exhausted? I've spent the last 15+ years identifying as "conservative" and with the slim Republican options these days, I am over it. Seriously, it is causing me to re-think so many things that my head spins. There, I said it- I'm having a political identity crisis... </li><br /><br /><li>...which brings me to the news- same drivel, different day. I've taken to getting any world news from the BBC since we cannot seem to cover world events in this country. I also benefit from one of my friends regularly posting (on FB) thought-provoking, debate and essay-ensuing news links. Thanks for keeping the intellectual dialogue alive RK! And thanks to my childhood buddy at <a href="http://rivermud.blogspot.com/">River Mud </a>for keeping it real on the environmental front. From the water crisis in India, to the Chesapeake Bay and poaching in MD, he's got you covered.</li><br /><br /><li>Time to feel human again- cut and color at my favorite salon this afternoon. For locals, you know this means laughing hysterically with Kelley and her non-stop entertainment.<br /></li><br /><li>Fudge's loft and bottom bunk are finally delivered and set up (that only took 6 weeks : /). Now taking bets on the next ER visit. What's that you say? <em>"Shhhh, don't jinx him!" </em>No chance- Fudge is Fudge. Although, Mitchell, he does take way too keen of an interest in the story of you jumping for the ceiling fan from the top bunk and breaking your arm. </li><br /><br /><li>I've created a monster- Fudge has visited 17 states, 27 major cities, and 1 foreign country before he turned 7, so I guess it should not surprise me that he's requested returning to Aruba this summer. When I told him no to the happy island this summer, he came back with his next offer: "Oh, ok- I guess you can book Brazil." Where does he get this stuff? Why Brazil? Because one of the little friends he made in Aruba was from Brazil. The fantastic part was watching these kids play and neither shared a common language.<br /></li><br /><li>We are not going to Brazil, but I did agree to the boy's request for a sunny, warm island. I welcome (read: crave) more international travel as Fudge grows/matures. And how old do they have to be to dive? ;)</li><br /><br /><li>Spring Break is coming and we're going to create our own "Weird Virginia" tour...Foamhenge, Zebras in the car, George Washington's graffiti. Also planning a day trip to climb Jockey's Ridge if any local friends are interested, but know Fudge will deny it is Jockey's Ridge and inform you he is climbing the Great Pyramids at Giza- just go with it.</li></ul><br /><br /><p>Ok, enough randomness. Send some good juju my way to eliminate this feeling of funk...and if you are playing along with FNL, visit <a href="http://sippycupsarenotforstarbucks.blogspot.com/">Danifred</a> for all of the latest.</p>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-32446507022474995632012-03-22T10:23:00.007-04:002012-03-22T11:31:35.381-04:00My Running is ON FIRE!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFRHpiY109pIOSu79dZ0g3VF4L-H_F_50ueqOwN3acFeLtIKwi8dTfd2nXaamanhJo4FFGdW01tYQaUlOzJWXWnRSfxF1DL-F7K61zEd4FDuGjkiUwTCvtEkBNMxXHiU3f3xL-xLx9yvC/s1600/fire.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722731398491909842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFRHpiY109pIOSu79dZ0g3VF4L-H_F_50ueqOwN3acFeLtIKwi8dTfd2nXaamanhJo4FFGdW01tYQaUlOzJWXWnRSfxF1DL-F7K61zEd4FDuGjkiUwTCvtEkBNMxXHiU3f3xL-xLx9yvC/s400/fire.png" border="0" /></a>I'm a firm believer that you've got to be able to laugh at yourself, and I certainly had one of those moments this morning. Over the years I've gone from fit to flab and while it has been frustrating as hell, I'm dragging my body along on this "get fit" quest of mine...which is a whole other post, so let's just go with the short version this morning.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Get up early, decide to go for a run/walk...decide to use the treadmill at my parents so I can get the exact distance, time, etc. So, I'm jamming along to <em>We Found Love </em>and I think I'm smelling smoke...but I don't see any smoke...and I keep going. My parents are building a sunroom off the back porch, saws are whizzing, cement is being mixed, etc. and I keep going, thinking the smell must be from all of the work, since I am running right near an open window.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Nope. 23 minutes into my run, right in the middle of the Glee mash up of <em>Start Me Up/Living on a Prayer,</em> the treadmill DEAD stops, I go flying forward, bounce off the front panel, pitch backward and bounced off the treadmill and onto the floor, where I was laughing hysterically. Nicely played. No appliances are safe around me these days.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Even better was the text I received from my brother a short while later- "Congrats, Tank!" Ah, brotherly love. And now I hear firetrucks in the neighborhood, so let's hope they're not headed to my parents' place.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Are you there God? It's me, Chubby.</div>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-43952970153591744782012-03-21T19:46:00.002-04:002012-03-21T20:12:40.594-04:00Thankful for the BasicsThere's nothing quite like being shocked back into reality by coming home from a fantastic four days away to a blown Jeep engine, a washing machine that died with a full load in it, and furniture that was not delivered...and now my Keurig is flashing that it needs to be de-scaled (really?). We all have crap we deal with daily, right? So in the spirit of my various travels and trying to see the positive (somewhat difficult in the midst of annoyances)..I am thankful...<br /><br />- For the ability and resources to purchase a new washer (even if it is on backorder) and that I'm not washing my clothes against a rock in a creek...I repeat this mantra each time I must make a trip to go do laundry, tonight included, after Fudge spilled milk all over the tablecloth. : /<br /><br />-For my wonderful, eco-friendly Honda Pilot...may Darth Vader have many, many years and joyous miles of adventures ahead. So many do not have shoes, let alone a vehicle, so we'll get past a blown engine. And while I am thinking of it, if you are spring cleaning, please consider taking your shoes to a drop off site for <a href="http://www.soles4souls.org/?gclid=COWMrpCY-a4CFUXc4AodZG23yg">Soles for Souls</a>.<br /><br />-For a warm bed to tuck Fudge into at night, while so many go without.<br /><br />-For excellent medical care, even if I think I pay way too much for it. Fudge has ear surgery #3 on the horizon and I'm thankful he is in such caring and capable hands, while many have no access to care.<br /><br />-For the lovely emails I received from friends after my last post...which surprised me since there were no comments, but lots of love sent my way nonetheless.<br /><br />It's been an exhausting day, and much to do before I call it a night. Wherever you are, wishing you gratitude, especially for the basics we take for granted.Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-61344062988148332582012-03-19T22:56:00.004-04:002012-03-20T00:10:41.965-04:00I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEUEf-DLKSQxrPuHpMR9f9_tqGuzlx8vw8kgwhrNeWtowBYmt0bVa9SWCfQCeQpV_gg282IWQoNuItqfuTo7FDwMXJOkXYMwVP-8dw57WJGhq9JWoWp5kCMEmGv3WAR4HW4xW8NFf-Ws7/s1600/gates.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 359px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721825394524828578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEUEf-DLKSQxrPuHpMR9f9_tqGuzlx8vw8kgwhrNeWtowBYmt0bVa9SWCfQCeQpV_gg282IWQoNuItqfuTo7FDwMXJOkXYMwVP-8dw57WJGhq9JWoWp5kCMEmGv3WAR4HW4xW8NFf-Ws7/s400/gates.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The blog has (obviously) fallen by the wayside...I think with writing so much corporate mumbo-jumbo daily, the passion to write personally wanes, even though I enjoy it immensely. As one of my friends would say, "le sigh."<br /><br />I'm back from a girls' weekend at the beach- just what I needed. You know it's bad when you don't mind sitting in bumper-to-bumper gridlock on the outer loop, because it affords you some peace and quiet...or reminds you of an old commute into the city. Either way, sick, right? This from the woman who never imagined a life in the 'burbs, driving a swagger wagon (ok, Honda Pilot because there was no way in hell that I was buying a minivan), and trying not to go insane on the soccer sidelines. Don't misunderstand, I love being a mom- love it, and at the same time, it raises some tough questions...what happens to identity when the title of mom is hitched to it? How do you successfully balance motherhood, career, and that which you wish to passionately pursue? There, sitting in traffic, I realized I don't even get to use the bathroom by myself ("Mom, are you in there?")...what identity is/was left after mom, employee, volunteer, household manager, cook, and so on? Well, if you've got to ask that question, the answer is not much. I started to wonder "where did I go?" Something's got to give.<br /><br />Traffic passed and the outer loop gave way to a country road, fallow cotton fields, turf farms, vineyards, empty farm stands and finally a bridge onto the island. As I drove along, I felt the stress melt far, far away. To say I was thrilled to arrive on Thursday evening would be an understatement; it's not due to any one thing- but the sum of all of the little things..."the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Four days to be Jen, just Jen...nothing more and nothing less. How refreshing. Ok, rare, but refreshing all the same...and isn't the rarity of that just pathetic?<br /><br />Time to linger over a glass of wine and great conversation...real, authentic conversation. Time to relax (what's that?), time to pamper myself (a massage therapist came out to the beach house for the day), time to read, time to think, time to just be. As I was sitting on the deserted beach Friday afternoon, listening to the waves crashing, the sun shining down on me, I realized that I could not remember the last time I was alone...just me...no one as far as I could see. How does one get to that point, where time to sit, alone, and breath the fresh salty air, feel your hair being whipped by the balmy breeze, and enjoying the warmth of sunshine on your face with uninterrupted thoughts is a rare occurrence?<br /><br />These weekends happen twice a year, but obviously, I must make way for me more than two long weekends a year. No wonder why it feels like I could go bat shit crazy some days. When the internal dialogue sounds something like- "Hi Jen, remember yourself? You know, your passions, ideas, independence, sense of adventure, goals and laughter? No???"- it's time to take action.<br /><br />Of course, the weekend was fantastic. And just like Vegas, what happens at girls' weekend stays at girls' weekend...or is it like Fight Club and the first rule? And really, I hate the title "girls'" weekend (we're far from being a bunch of 10 year olds) but "ladies'" weekend sounds too prim and proper and "womens'" weekend too formal. Whatever you want to call it, it was a little slice of heaven for a few days with a fantastic group of smart, authentic, funny, accomplished women.<br /><br />One conversation was so good to have, but at the same time, sticks with me, heavily. A group of us from my grad school program were recently surveyed on the value of our experiences, preparedness, academic rigor, etc., and one of my friends on the weekend adventure was also a grad school classmate of mine. We compared notes on the survey, our experiences, and how far we've developed since out grad school days and our first placements outside of grad school. You know, moving from an arrogant, headstrong, know-it-all 23 year old and developing into a better version of self. While we enjoyed a laugh over "if we knew then what we know now," I also mourn the missed opportunities- things I would have done differently, personal relationships I would have cultivated more, how I would have opened my eyes and heart wider, my ears more compassionately, and my mouth less. What does one do with that? Such a simple conversation that can stir up both good memories and regrets...not sure how to reconcile that, but it's not something I can simply let go. We'll see...I'm a processor, so I need to time to mull on it and work through it. Again, "le sigh."<br /><br />There you have it- how I get by with a little help with my friends. Oh- the photo...well, I usually don't care for any photos of myself, but since this was one from the weekend (and super grainy from the iPhone), it seemed appropriate.</div>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-8929124977715325952012-02-10T11:24:00.003-05:002012-02-14T11:37:19.924-05:00Friday Night Leftovers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZQDWOICSDCM7YZG_vMHB38JtObYiUJ8ickMFALnm6JanY8zHYIM7_4kDeZvuxWYD7qqJaIw-iNIBuwcTJlLUZKtW__RztSbmakeIGTSyH0loVKqBkmLimxVd2WIjPLW1GWNJj8rMt35Z/s1600/leftoversbutton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709028253756194514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZQDWOICSDCM7YZG_vMHB38JtObYiUJ8ickMFALnm6JanY8zHYIM7_4kDeZvuxWYD7qqJaIw-iNIBuwcTJlLUZKtW__RztSbmakeIGTSyH0loVKqBkmLimxVd2WIjPLW1GWNJj8rMt35Z/s400/leftoversbutton.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>How are we really into February already? The first six weeks of the year have been a blur and I need to get on the ball since Fudge has a birthday that is quickly approaching.</li><br /><br /><li>I went to my first formal crochet class last night, at the local fine arts center. It was an advanced class, but I was relieved to see I was keeping up.</li><br /><br /><li>The student in me lives on...last night's class reminded me that I could be in school full time and just love it...but I don't suppose that would pay the mortgage. :)</li><br /><br /><li>Fudge's class is listening to a teacher read <em>Double Fudge</em> by Judy Blume. Now he knows why I call him Fudge. We checked out <em>Super Fudge</em> and <em>Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great</em> from the library and I am so enjoying reading these "classics" with him.</li><br /><br /><li>Snow, dinner out, and a dueling piano bar are on the weekend plans- bring it on!</li></ul><br /><p>Visit <a href="http://sippycupsarenotforstarbucks.blogspot.com/2012/02/friday-night-leftovers-sleepless.html">Danifred</a> to join in the FNL fun!</p>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-63220006187960045802012-02-09T18:58:00.000-05:002012-02-13T19:05:15.715-05:00Barrett's Esophagus- We Like GOOD NewsThe Hubs recently went in for Barrett's surgery #8...or is it #9? Really, we've both lost count. We actually had a really smooth day at the hospital- no waiting like usual and the nurse I think is fantastic was there watching out for us. Even traffic was good! It's like everything was smiling down us until the Hubs came out of surgery and we learned two unexpected growths were found and removed for pathology.<br /><br />Well, the fantastic news came today- NED (no evidence of disease/cancer). That's always great news! We are so thankful. Additionally, the Hubs went from a diagnosis of high dysplasia down to no dysplasia (also a really good thing). The Barrett's is still present and there's still the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ, but this is some of the best Barrett's news we've heard to date. Thank you to all of you for your prayers and support.<br /><br />The next step is the Hubs gets to let 5 whole months pass until his next surgery! That may not sound too exciting, but when you are on a 6-8 week rotation, 5 months is golden.Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-62504706154509853932012-02-08T18:09:00.000-05:002012-02-13T18:18:49.800-05:00Homemade Febreze<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhNS0BHG23Axib1RcctdXzuTmACPltSAlZVmrWu_e8OWzpR1G_TvhsYCgxrXROBCNmCFTV6EwjA0_X6xZlyIU7dZdk9n1jIeKI9PN0mGxPcfvBo8dYYiq2k3iTELgCDkLuAdOcVRLa1hA/s1600/febreze.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708761509824658898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 350px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhNS0BHG23Axib1RcctdXzuTmACPltSAlZVmrWu_e8OWzpR1G_TvhsYCgxrXROBCNmCFTV6EwjA0_X6xZlyIU7dZdk9n1jIeKI9PN0mGxPcfvBo8dYYiq2k3iTELgCDkLuAdOcVRLa1hA/s400/febreze.jpg" border="0" /></a> I won't use Febreze- I can't stand a heavy perfume and I don't like the thought of all of those nasty chemicals, so I've got a <em>natural alternative</em>. If you've not already read of my love of Vaska's Herbasoft, check the product out <a href="http://www.vaskahome.com/products/herbasoft/">here</a>.<br /><br />To make the homemade fabric refreshener, a.k.a. "Febreze," I used the following with good results.<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>24 ounce spray bottle</li><br /><li>1/8 cup fabric softener (pick your favorite or go natural with one like Vaska)</li><br /><li>2 Tbsp. baking soda</li><br /><li>Hot water</li></ul><br /><p>Mix fabric softener and baking soda in the bottle, fill to within an inch of the top with hot water. Shake well before using. Easy peasy, no more gross dog smell on my couch!</p>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-28624059643181953402012-02-07T17:45:00.000-05:002012-02-13T18:08:12.730-05:00Homemade Fabric Softener<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-zFgIGCCPbtx8pIwDbJpjYCDnBmkTnPEjreev2BR46kbCynfPHhPVLANYI4ATJciO4uVai5Hu4rZ5AZnjtBkiNtJ5rZmWtj3E8BpzN3aaRr_zjlOL3qWDLXhjZfVffXk-c9aQMjtXCXp/s1600/Fabsoft.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708757680290138610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-zFgIGCCPbtx8pIwDbJpjYCDnBmkTnPEjreev2BR46kbCynfPHhPVLANYI4ATJciO4uVai5Hu4rZ5AZnjtBkiNtJ5rZmWtj3E8BpzN3aaRr_zjlOL3qWDLXhjZfVffXk-c9aQMjtXCXp/s400/Fabsoft.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkTWGlMNWSyyz7u0XqgJ4TwrmTM_2NOlgpZnDCZ_Q19PyPZED9X8Jn_9qp75waDR2J-r1A1eYGwmSsYVHrLMhnylvV4mYmLhG6y1W3JxfAUulLOC6_tGRzKl5q0Pz90Uzr0ZsJ_w5icjI/s1600/vaska.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708757599669684674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 178px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkTWGlMNWSyyz7u0XqgJ4TwrmTM_2NOlgpZnDCZ_Q19PyPZED9X8Jn_9qp75waDR2J-r1A1eYGwmSsYVHrLMhnylvV4mYmLhG6y1W3JxfAUulLOC6_tGRzKl5q0Pz90Uzr0ZsJ_w5icjI/s400/vaska.jpg" border="0" /></a> I've never been accused of being frugal, but I think the Hubs is getting me there. I like having more money in my pocket than going out the door on things I don't <em>have</em> to purchase. We're pretty much chemical free around the home, which is why I like the Vaska natural fabric softener, but IT IS $10 A BOTTLE. I started using the old trick of white vinegar, buying it in large, generic jugs for about $3.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I fill the dispenser almost to the top with <strong>white vinegar</strong> and add a tablespoon of the Vaska Herbasoft. However, I've had great results with the vinegar and <strong>a few drops of essential oil</strong> (lavender), instead of the Vaska. Either way, I'm very pleased with the results and thrilled I am not spinning <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/vegan-kosher-halal-alert-fabric-softeners-are-made-from-rendered-animal-fat.html">chemicals and liquid animal fat</a> through my washed clothes.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We also use soap nuts, but I'll save that explanation for another time :)</div>Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-53482148044385133052012-02-06T16:46:00.000-05:002012-02-13T17:03:27.116-05:00Little Changes Make a Big Difference<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwhhuJULuaGpmQrW54-Y1ODU1RvCU-wk2lC9ruUIbmhTPlzBP8tG5Bscsif4hp4cuCaDjZHmwK9uAWa0Yx3A5sNYfYBYcsRlYA6bIv6VL6I8xPlB-JaxmGpOC7GG_16CiRTBUXlndh-3f/s1600/metal+bed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708740790687205714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwhhuJULuaGpmQrW54-Y1ODU1RvCU-wk2lC9ruUIbmhTPlzBP8tG5Bscsif4hp4cuCaDjZHmwK9uAWa0Yx3A5sNYfYBYcsRlYA6bIv6VL6I8xPlB-JaxmGpOC7GG_16CiRTBUXlndh-3f/s400/metal+bed.jpg" border="0" /></a>No, that's not my bed.<br /><br />When you have so many projects on the list, and a money tree is not growing in the back yard, it can be tough to determine where to start. Where will you see the benefit of your efforts? We are saving most of our bedroom projects until the downstairs ones are completed, because really, who's coming over and spending time in our bedrooms? No one. However, a girl wants what she wants and this girl wanted a metal bed.<br /><br />We have a king size mattress but we had yet to agree on a headboard and footboard that would compliment the rest of the matching bedroom furniture (we moved up from a queen that was part of a set). I didn't want to look for a matching king set, but rather something that was different but would still coordinate.<br /><br />Ah-ha, how about a metal bed? Wrought iron maybe? I love a timeless look, and it was a great idea in <em>theory</em>, which fell apart when we started pricing these lovely beds. Since we were not spending thousands of dollars on a head and foot board, we gave Craigslist a try...and got lucky. Got the head and foot board you see above for $60, and lived to tell about it. Much like <a href="http://tsl1.blogspot.com/2011/07/surviving-craigslist.html">our last Craigslist experience</a>, we were in luck. I really should upload a photo of our bed all set up, but frankly, I'm too lazy to go make the bed, get the photos, download, etc. right now. So you get the ugly bedding above, but the frame really is lovely. The bonus for us was while we were furniture shopping for Fudge's room, we came across the exact same head and foot board for...wait for it...over $800. WIN!<br /><br />Small investment, big difference in giving us a lovely looking master bedroom.Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773856498642797902.post-42030639079120014792012-02-05T23:50:00.000-05:002012-02-05T00:14:04.495-05:00Kids Bedroom Organization<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Apkr3yx6GbCHiNF-ItVsbonREEc_Vv6jQBE-ysoHLMXDQvkKw5GKdII7XW8dcId0Pabm30Y4KadpI4-1vdJmOmcET_cMFWg8YTpmLHvSBkMexnydO5I2bu3yodSyzSoixsC3xBs3d-3E/s1600/maxtrix.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705509854269154866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Apkr3yx6GbCHiNF-ItVsbonREEc_Vv6jQBE-ysoHLMXDQvkKw5GKdII7XW8dcId0Pabm30Y4KadpI4-1vdJmOmcET_cMFWg8YTpmLHvSBkMexnydO5I2bu3yodSyzSoixsC3xBs3d-3E/s400/maxtrix.jpg" /></a><br />Day 5...maximizing on a small space! We love our neighborhood but sometimes we have the wish-we-would-have-kept-our-townhouse blues. It's not that we really want to live there now- our house and neighborhood are perfect for Fudge, but we miss having a more modern, open and airy floorplan. Our 32 year old home is warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and full of love and laughter, in an outstanding community. However, that cute little room with the dormer window that made a perfect nursery and toddler room is too small to be a bedroom for Fudge. So, we ditched the guest room about 3 years ago and moved him to the larger room. Our master bedroom and the bonus room are both large, but the other two bedrooms are small. Fudge's current room is about 10x10, but I'm not ready to let him move up to the 20x20 bonus room. He has a full-size bed crammed in his room, nursery dresser, nightstand, desk, and 9-cube bookshelf...it's a tight squeeze . and he needs to upgrade to more than a small, 3-drawer dresser. Ever since the kid turned 5, he's been <em>begging</em> for bunkbeds. Now, for those of you who know Fudge, this request conjurs images of a kid jumping from the top bunk to see how far he can fly, or if he could spin from a ceiling fan- you get the picture.<br /><br />The request hasn't let up and has only worsened since he's turning 7 this month. Here's the deal- the Hubs is <em>rightfully</em> afraid Fudge is going to fall or fly from the top bunk and break something while I dread moving back to a twin bed...only to have him ask for larger furniture as he grows. We realized we have a very specific need- a mid-height, full size matress loft bed with coordinating furniture that will grow with Fudge and will fit this small space. I tell you what, I should have just waved a magic wand with that impossible request, but lo and behold, there is a company that can deliver on this request! You can nest the furniture underneath, or pull it out and make room for a fort underneath the bed- score! I like that as your child grows, you can even convert this to a high loft. Who knows, the kiddo could take this to college someday. I wish the price tag wasn't so steep, but when you break it down (the geek in me calls this cost-per-use ratio) it's a nominal spend if averaged annually.<br /><br />After church tomorrow we're driving an hour to the one furniture dealer in our end of the state that carries this line to check it out, but don't tell Fudge...it's our little surprise. Oh, the brand is <a href="http://www.maxtrixkids.com/mid-loft.html">Maxtrix</a>.Jenihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672586495013423409noreply@blogger.com0